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Mullen Makes Cuts Down South

BOSTON–Mullen/LHC has laid off 15 employees in its Winston-Salem, N.C. office, the company said, which is about 10 percent of the staff. About 105 people are employed now in that office, with around 500 total in all Mullen offices.

All cuts, according to Mullen, have been made “across the board” and not in any particular department or division. They represent the third round of announced layoffs at Mullen this year. In August, Mullen laid off 13 employees, or four percent, at its Wenham, Mass. headquarters; in June, Mullen/LHC let go 30 staff members, or about 20 percent of its workforce. Sources said the shop had through the spring dismissed at least a dozen additional staffers in Wenham, though agency executives have never confirmed that such cuts took place.

A Mullen representative said no further layoffs are imminent.

The Interpublic Group agency was careful to couch the cuts as a “reorganization” that involves the creation of a more fluid, team-based approach to handling client needs.

Mullen has endured a rough year, especially in Winston-Salem, losing numerous clients such as Hanes, Alabama Power and Thomasville Furniture. All offices had been slow to add significant new clients until early September, when the shop added some $15 million in combined business from Stop & Shop and Delta Queen. Those accounts are handled by Mullen’s Wenham and Pittsburgh offices, respectively.